<h2>Name</h2>
<p>
The Surah takes its name "Al-Furqan" from the first verse. Though it is
symbolic like the names of many other Surahs, it has a close relation
to its subject matter.
</p>
<h2>Period of Revelation</h2>
<p>
It appears from its style and subject matter that, like Surah Al-
Mu'minun, it was also revealed during the third stage of Prophethood
at Makkah. Ibn Jarir and Imam Razi have cited a tradition of Dahhak
bin Muzahim that this Surah was revealed eight years before Surah An Nisa.
This also confirms our opinion as to its period of revelation. (<em>Ibn
Jarir</em>, Vol. XIX, pp. 28-30, and <em>Tafsir Kabir</em>, Vol. VI,p. 358). 
</p>
<h2>Subject Matter and Topics</h2>
<p>
 The Surah deals with the doubts and objections that
were being raised against the Qur'an, the Prophethood of Muhammad
(Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and his teachings by the
disbelievers of Makkah. Appropriate answers to each and every
objection have been given and the people have been warned of the
consequences of rejecting the Truth. At the end of the Surah, a clear
picture of the moral superiority of the Believers has been depicted as
in the beginning of Surah Al-Mu'minun, as if to say, 'Here is the
criterion for distinguishing the genuine from the counterfeit. This is
the noble character of those people who have believed in and followed
the teachings of the Holy Prophet and this is the kind of people that
he is trying to train. You may yourselves compare and contrast this
type of people with those Arabs, who have not as yet accepted the
Message, and who are upholding "ignorance" and exerting their utmost
to defeat the Truth. Now you may judge for yourselves as to which you
would like to choose." Though this question was not posed in so many
words, it was placed before every one in Arabia in a tangible shape.
It may be noted that during the next few years, the practical answer
given to this question by the whole nation, with the exception of a
small minority, was that they chose Islam.
</p>

